Majority of Surrey residents want Dianne Watts back as mayor: Research Co. poll

A majority of Surrey residents (52%) say they would like to see Dianne Watts as the city’s mayor again, including 60% of men and 74% of South Surrey residents, according to a Research Co. poll.

Tom Gill, recently named as the Surrey First candidate for mayor, is seen as a good choice to lead the city by 15% of residents, and a bad choice by 14%.

The rating is similar for former interim BC Liberals leader Rich Coleman (Good 20%, Bad 19%), who is said to be considering a bid.

Doug Elford of the Surrey Community Alliance is regarded as a good choice for mayor by 17% of residents, and 15% feel the same way about former Surrey First councillor Bruce Hayne, who now sits as an independent.

More than a third of residents (36%) have a positive opinion of the governing Surrey First party, while 21% hold negative views.

Three opposition parties hold similar positive ratings (28% for the Surrey Community Alliance, 27% for both Proudly Surrey and People First Surrey).

Results are based on an online study conducted from June 24 to June 28 among 401 adults in the City of Surrey. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in the City of Surrey. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.